I. Introduction It is a pleasure to visit with all of you and to celebrate the 75th Anniversary Mass of the Novena to St. Jude here at the nationwide center of St. Jude devotions. I am sorry to say that Fr. Sal Furnari is not able to be with us this morning because his father,...Read More

I. Introduction A. Let me say how happy I am to return to St. Lawrence Parish to offer with you and for you this Mass of Thanksgiving that marks the 150th anniversary of this parish community. Let me first of all join you in expressing our common debt of gratitude to Father Victor Scocco and...Read More

I. Introduction A. Father Carmen, Deacon Kendzierski, Brother Dan Longo, National President of OSIA, Sr. Frances Cipriotti, President of the OSIA Grand Lodge of Maryland, bear members, family, friends of the Order, parishioners, and dear friends in Christ: B. I am grateful for the invitation to celebrate this memorial Mass in which we commend to...Read More

I. Introduction A. It is a joy for me to come today to Gift of Hope to continue our celebration of St. Teresa of Calcutta’s canonization by our beloved Pope Francis, last Sunday, in St. Peter’s Square. It was an event that captured the attention of the whole world but in a particular way it...Read More

I. Introduction A. As it happens, Father Bialek is being installed on the same weekend when Pope Francis canonizes Mother Teresa of Calcutta, even as Hurricane Hermine also presses down upon the Atlantic seacoast. As it also happens, the Church provides us with a Gospel reading appropriate to both of these events – a saint...Read More

I. Introduction A. It is a joy to return to St. Clement Parish and to join you in celebrating the 125th anniversary of its founding. With you I give thanks to the Lord for many blessings which, for more than a century, he has showered upon this parish. Among those blessings is Deacon Paul Gifford...Read More

I. Introduction First, a word about names. Almost everyone outside the family knew my aunt as “Mary Lou” – but her family members called her “Lois” or “Aunt Lois”. I’m not sure about this, how all this came about; it’s just a fact. So, if during my homily I lapse into calling her “Lois”, please...Read More

I. A Homecoming: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton A. In deciding to hold this year’s convocation in here in Emmitsburg, we are coming home – home to the roots of Catholic education in the United States. For we are have come to a place made sacred by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, truly a pioneer in Catholic...Read More